Collapsible Boat Hull Hinge Arrangement

ABSTRACT

A collapsible boat hull  10  has a pair of bottom panels  12, 14  with a first continuous hinge along an inner edge thereof  16  and a second continuous hinge  17, 19  along each outer edge thereof connecting to respective side panels  18, 20 . A flexible material  30  forms the hinge line, supported either side by a support material  36, 38 . The flexible hinge accommodates curvature of the panels when the hull is erected to its boat shape. The support material can be glass fibre or polymeric material, such as polyethylene, PVC or polypropylene. The hinge can be ‘W’ shape in cross section and can form a ridge  40  into the boat, and can be bonded to the respective panels e.g. by glass fibre to the panels. Hinge strengtheners/protectors can be provided, such as additional ribs  52, 54  bonded to or integral to the hinge protective material.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a hinge arrangement between panels of acollapsible boat hull.

The present invention also relates to a collapsible boat hullincorporating such hinge arrangement(s).

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

It is known to provide collapsible boat hulls, comprising a pair ofhingedly interconnected bottom panels and a pair of side panels hingedto the bottom panels. Such boats can be collapsed and folded along thehinging edges of the panels into a substantially flat configuration.

Typically collapsible boat hulls are also provided with a stern memberfunctioning as a transom, a bow member, and seats which are mounted ontothe boat hull when the boat hull is in an erected configuration.

It is important that the junction between the boat hull and the bowmember, and the boat hull and the stern member, are leak-proof.Provision is generally also made to mount an outboard motor on the sternmember.

Some collapsible boat hulls are provided with rigid stern members, whileothers are provided with diaphragms that can accommodate rigid panels,which rigidify and stabilise the diaphragm when an outboard motor ismounted thereon.

Further, the collapsible boat hulls of the prior art, when arranged intheir erected configuration, are generally flexible rather than rigid,leading to poor handling in the water.

Some collapsible boats have a hull formed of a waterproof(ed) flexiblefabric membrane stretched covering a framework to form the hull.

Other collapsible boat hulls use panels that are slotted together andhave seals between panels, with some form of strapping or lookingmechanism holding the panels together.

Yet other collapsible boat hulls have some form of foldable hingesbetween side and bottom panels of the hull to allow what is essentiallya one piece hull to erect for use and be folded down for transport andstorage. Such hulls avoid the problems associated with having to joinpanels together in situ and ensure that the seals do not leak in use.Such hulls also avoid the risk of puncture associated with all fabrichull skins.

However, such hinges need to be sufficiently robust to withstand usewhen the boat is propelled and used in the water such as external wave,impact and internal weight of users in the boat), and yet be flexible toallow erection and folding down.

Previous attempts at creating flexible hinges are resulted incumbersome, heavy or unreliable hinges.

Continuous extruded hinges with resilient spines have been proposed inat least earlier patent application. However, such continuous extrudedhinges tend to be heavy, relatively costly to manufacture and installand not aesthetically pleasing, as well as not providing a requiredrigidity or sufficiently improving rigidity to the hull.

With these problems in mind, it has been found desirable to develop ahinge for a collapsible boat hull that provides a requisite degree offlexibility, longevity or rigidity to the hull.

It has also been found desirable to develop a hinge for a collapsibleboat hull that contributes to functional configuration or geometry ofthe hull.

The present invention attempts to overcome at least in part some of theaforementioned disadvantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

With the aforementioned in view, an aspect of the present inventionprovides a collapsible boat hull including two bottom panels and twoopposed side panels, the bottom panels connected to each other by afirst continuous flexible hinge along adjoining longitudinal edges ofthe bottom panels, and each bottom panel connected to an adjacent sidepanel by a respective second continuous flexible hinge.

In accordance a further aspect of the present invention there isprovided a collapsible boat hull comprising: a pair of bottom panels,each bottom panel having a first continuous hinge along an inner edgethereof and a second continuous hinge along an outer edge thereof; and apair of side panels, each side panel being connected to an adjacentbottom panel along a respective second continuous hinge.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a collapsible boat hullincluding a pair of bottom panels joined by a flexible first continuoushinge, the flexible hinge permitting the pair of panels to be movedbetween a collapsed configuration and an erected configuration of thehull and wherein the flexible hinge facilitates or accommodates curvingof at least a portion of the panels when the panels are moved to theerected configuration.

Thus, the bottom panels can be moved from a flat folded orientation to acurved erected orientation of the hull, with the flexible hinge(s)retaining its/their integrity.

A second continuous hinge may be provided along a respective outer edgeof each said bottom panel. A pair of side panels may be provided, eachconnected to an adjacent said bottom panel along a respective saidsecond continuous hinge, each said second continuous hinge beingflexible and facilitating curving of at least a portion of the sidepanels with the bottom panels when the hull is in the erectedconfiguration.

The bottom and/or side panels may be formed of or incorporate acomposite material, such as a polymer or resin impregnated foam board.Alternatively, the or each panel may include or be formed of corematerial (such as a honeycomb material), preferably having an outerpolymeric coating/jacket with preferably a polymeric honeycomb (such asa foam) core. Preferably the honeycomb core is of polypropylene, and thecoating/jacket may be a solid or skin of polyester or PVC or the like.Further alternatives for the panel core include aramid polymer(s),para-aramid polymer(s), Nomex®, paper impregnated with phenolic resin,or aluminium, or expanded PVC foam.

The flexible first continuous hinge is desirably continuous along thelength of the boat hull and forms a keel hinge at the bottom of theboat.

The first continuous hinge may form a keel hinge at the bottom of theboat. The second hinges may form respective chine hinges at thetransition between the side panels and respective bottom panel.

The first and second continuous hinges may have resilient flexibilityalong respective longitudinal and, transverse planes thereof, therebyfacilitating the bottom and side panels to be moved between a foldedconfiguration and an erected configuration.

The or each aforementioned continuous hinge may also be or include aflexible hinge. Thus, the first continuous hinge may be or include aflexible first continuous hinge and the second continuous hinge may beor include a flexible second continuous hinge. Therefore, each of thefirst and second continuous hinges may be or include a respectiveflexible hinge.

The or each flexible hinge advantageously enables the boat hull to movefrom a substantially flat configuration to form a conventional boat hullshape when erected. The flexible hinge facilitates bending of the pairof panels into the shape of a hull as the panels are moved to theerected configuration.

Advantageously, this allows the boat hull to move from a substantiallyflat configuration when folded to form a conventional hull shape whenerected.

The flexible hinge may include a flexible sheet or web forming a hingeline between adjacent connected panels. The flexible sheet or web mayinclude a shear resistant material. Preferably the sheet or web is orincludes polyester (woven or continuous sheet), or an advanced compositefibre material, such as Kevlar or glass fibre, or polyester coated glassfibre, or a polymeric material coating or impregnating a flexible sheetmaterial, such as polyester or kevlar. Alternatively, the flexible hingemay include a polyester fabric coated with a polymer, such as PVC,rubber, neoprene, rubber and neoprene combinations (e.g. Hypalon®).Thus, the material at the core of the hinge is protected by the coatingor impregnation.

The flexible hinge may include a support material extending along thehinge adjacent the hinge line. Thus, the flexible sheet or web may formthe hinge line whilst the support material runs along the longitudinalextent of the hinge and closely adjacent the hinge line. The supportmaterial of the hinge may be provided by one or more rods of resilientor flexible material, which may be flat in section or round.

Preferably the support material includes or is a glass fibre orpolymeric material, such as polyethylene, PVC or polypropylene, or arubber or silicone based material.

To accommodate shape of the boat hull in the erected configuration,where the bottom panels are substantially flat towards a stern of theboat and curved towards a bow of the boat hull, the flexible hingeadvantageously changes shape or flexes along the length of the hull asthe panels are moved between the collapsed and erected configurations.That is, the flexible hinge adopts different configuration or geometryat different locations along the length of the hull. Thus, the flexiblehinge adopts a first configuration towards the stern and a secondconfiguration towards the bow when the panels are in the erectedconfiguration.

Advantageously, the flexible hinge flexes substantially along the hingeline as the panels are moved from collapsed to erected configuration tocreate a shape or configuration that contributes to functionalconfiguration or geometry of the hull.

The hinge between the adjacent bottom panels may form an internal ridgealong the interior of the bottom of the hull when the boat hull iserected. Thus, with the hull erected, the bottom panels may angledownward from the side panels and meet at the keel hinge. The supportmaterial may then project upwards towards the interior of the boat hulland the sheet or web material forms the hinge line extending along thehinge. This ‘W’ form hinge arrangement provides additional strength andrigidity to the boat hull compared with a flat hinge arrangement.

At the bow, when the hull is erected, the support material may adopt aconfiguration where the sheet or web material projects substantiallydownwardly from the interior of the boat hull and the sheet or webmaterial again forms the hinge line extending along the hinge. That is,the support material and hence the hinge forms an external ridge alongthis portion of the exterior of the bottom of the hull.

Along the bow, the hinge preferably thus forms a ‘V’ arrangement whichadvantageously allows the bow to cut into the water and into waves whenthe boat is not planing.

Towards an outermost end of the bow, with the hull erected, the supportmaterial may adopt a configuration where the sheet or web material issubstantially flat across and between the pair of panels and across thehinge line. In adopting this flat arrangement, the support material isunder traction, which is an advantageous state for this portion of theboat where there is highest tension stress.

Advantageously, the flexing of the hinge as the panels are positionedinto the erected configuration and the subsequent configuration that thehinge adopts at different locations on the hull, minimises stressapplied to the sheet or web material.

The hinge may include one or more strengtheners running along the hinge.Preferably each hinge includes a said strengthener either side of thehinge line.

The strengthener may be in the form of or include or have applied a ribrunning along the continuous hinge. The rib may be provided along thehinge on the interior side of the hull, or along the hinge on theexterior of the hull, or both on the interior and exterior.

Each rib may be provided as a triangular section elongate member, whichmay form part of a moulding of the protective material. Each rib may bea rod of flexible material, which may preferably be flat or round incross section. The or each rib may be formed of a resilient and/orstrong material providing additional strength and stability to thehinge.

The support material may entrap the sheet or web of material forming thehinge line and linking the adjacent panels.

The strengthener provides flexion along the length of the protectivematerial. As the strengthener has to flex along the length of the hingeto accommodate the change of geometry with the panel flexing to get inthe shape of the hull, the support puts the sheet or web material intension (in between the flange) on most of the length of the hinge.

The rib may be provided as a ridge (such as triangular section). The ribmay be applied as a, for example, triangular section elongate strip 20mm wide 10 mm high, 90 degrees at the top (rounded), 45 degrees at thebase on each side, about 15 mm away from the hinge line on each side.The chine hinge may have smaller ribs (such as 3 mm thick).

A further aspect of the present invention provides a collapsible boathull hinge, the hinge including a flexible sheet or web material forconnection to adjacent panels of the collapsible boat.

Preferably the sheet or web is of a polyester or other polymericmaterial, or carbon fibre (e.g. Kevlar) or glass fibre material, ormaterial with reinforcing properties equivalent to glass fibre orKevlar, held between supporting material along either side of the hingeline, and preferably on one or both sides of the hinge (i.e. external orinternal, of the hull). The supporting material may include PVC or otherpolymer that allows flexibility in the hinge for function but providessupport and structural integrity to the hinge.

The sheet or web may therefore provide a reinforcing function for thehinge, which can help with flexural strength and resist frictional orimpact damage.

An alternative sheet or web may be provided by fibre reinforced plasticresin and/or polyester coated fabric. The fabric core may be a wovenKevlar. The polyester coated fabric may also be used as a membrane atthe stern of the boat e.g. for waterproofing adjacent a face of thetransom.

Advantageously, the hinge flexes or changes shape substantially alongthe length of the hull as the boat is erected to form the conventionalhull shape.

The flexible sheet or web may be bonded into the support materials, andthe support materials may be bonded to the respective panels either sideof the hinge line.

The support material may include or be fibreglass or polypropylene orother polymeric material, such as a PVC. The hinge may be formed withthe flexible material bonded into the support materials for laterbonding between the edges of the panels of the hull. The supportmaterial may be friction bonded to the hinges and/or panels. Suchfriction bonding has been founded suitable for certain applications,such as rescue boat configurations of the present invention.

At least one of the said panels (bottom and/or side panel(s)) of thehull may include or be formed of a core of material (preferably having ahoneycomb structure) coated or impregnated with a polymer. The(honeycomb) core may be or include PVC or polypropylene material. Thepolymer coating or impregnation material may be or include a resin, suchas epoxy, or polymer such as polyester.

A further aspect of the present invention provides a flexible hinge fora collapsible boat hull having at least two panels to be hinged by theflexible hinge for erecting and collapsing the boat hull, the flexiblehinge including a flexible material forming a hinge line along theflexible hinge, and support material either side of the hinge line, thesupport material providing structural support. The flexible hinge mayinclude a flexible protective material extending over or through theflexible material of the hinge line.

The support material of the flexible hinge is preferably made with orincludes fibres orientated along the hinge and/or having the stiffeningribs aligned along the hinge such that the hinge predominantly flexesalong the line of the hinge and has restricted flexure across the hinge(and so avoids the typical undulation/bulging experienced in isotropicmaterial without stiffening/corrugation).

The flexible hinge may include at least one strengthener orientatedextending along a length of the flexible hinge. At least one saidstrengthener may be positioned adjacent the hinge line, preferablyexternal of the hull. The flexible hinge may have fibres integral to thehinge orientated along the hinge.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter bedescribed with reference to the accompanying figure, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a boat hull erected but with the transom and bow members tobe installed, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a boat hull erected with the transom and bow members beinginstalled, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a cross section through a collapsible boat hull showinghinges according to a hinge arrangement according to an embodiment ofthe present invention. Chine hinge marked ‘A’ is shown in more detail inFIG. 4, and central (keel) hinge marked ‘B’ is shown in FIG. 5.

FIGS. 4 and 5 shows detail of various hinges according to an embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows the boat hull folded to a transport/storage configurationand incorporating the hinge according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show alternative embodiments of a hinge of the presentinvention incorporating support ribs.

FIG. 9 shows a side view of a collapsible boat hull in an erectedconfiguration, illustrating portions of flexible hull which exhibitvarying shape when the hull is erected according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 10 shows cross sections through a collapsible boat hull showingflexible hinge at ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C.’ of FIG. 9; and

FIG. 11 shows an underside of the collapsible boat hull in the erectedconfiguration and illustrating location of ‘B’ and ‘C’ of FIG. 9.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIGS. 1 and 2 show an erected collapsible boat hull 10. The hull has twobottom panels 12, 14 connected along their inside edges by a centralflexible hinge 16. Two side panels 18, 20 are connected to respectiveoutside edges of the bottom panels by chine hinges 22, 24.

FIG. 1 shows the hull 10 without a removable transom or bow memberinstalled. FIG. 2 shows the bow member 26 installed and the transommember 28 in partially installed.

FIG. 3 shows a vertical cross section across the beam of the boat hull.The structure of the central hinge and chine hinges is shown in moredetail identified as sections labelled A and B, which are shown in closeup in FIGS. 4 and 5.

Each hinge includes a flexible hinge line material 30, such as a web orsheet of resilient material e.g. a Kevlar or glass fibre material.

As shown with reference to FIG. 4, the chine hinge 17, 19 is providedbetween the side panel 18, 20 and a bottom panel 12, 14. Each panelterminates at a respective bevelled edge 32, 34.

The flexible sheet or web material 30 forms the hinge line, which issupported on either side by a support material 36, 38. The supportmaterial preferably covers and protects the flexible hinge materialapart from at the hinge line, or is sufficiently thin at the hinge lineas to not prevent flexure of the hinge material during opening andclosing of the hull. The support material connects the flexible hingematerial to the respective side panels.

The support material advantageously protects from impact the hingematerial by providing the two opposed extensions (flanges′) of supportmaterial substantially cover the hinge material and only leave a smallamount of the hinge material exposed or have a thin covering of supportmaterial or other material as a protection without functionallyimpairing the operation of the hinge.

It will be appreciated that the bevelled panel edges help to create asmooth, flush hinge-line when the boat hull is fully erected, as shownin FIG. 4.

FIG. 5 shows detail of the central (keel line) hinge. The supportmaterial forms a ridge 40 projecting into the interior of the boat hulli.e. the hinge is generally ‘W’ shaped in cross section. This addsstrength in relation to carrying weight in the boat and reduces stressand external (water side) exposure on the flexible hinge materialcompared with a flat hinge. Construction of the hinge is generally thesame as the chine hinges, with the bottom panels edges 42, 44 bevelled.The resultant external channel 46 formed by the exterior ‘valley’ of theridge helps stability of the boat at speed.

Preferably the hinge is bonded to the respective panels. For example, byfibreglass bonding to composite panels. Alternatively, the supportmaterial may support the flexible hinge material and the supportmaterial is bonded to the panel(s), such as by a marine grade adhesive.

FIG. 6 shows the boat hull 10 in collapsed configuration ready fortransport or storage. The side panels 18, 20 are folded in between thebottom panels 12, 14. The central (keel line) hinge 16 at one edge ofthe collapsed hull and the two chine hinges are at the opposite end. Asshown, the side panels include gunwale edges 48, 50.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show strengtheners in the form of additional ribs 52, 54integrated with the protective material of each hinge. The ribs areshown on the external (water) side of the hull, but may be provided onthe interior side of the hull, or on both interior and exterior sides.

The ribs may be rods or other elongate members. The ribs are shown inthe figures as triangular sections, but it will be understood that othercross sectional shapes are envisaged to fall within the scope of thepresent invention. For example, curved or half round, half hexagonal,trapezium etc. The ribs provide strength to the hinge whilst allowingflexure in the longitudinal direction of the hinge.

FIGS. 9 and 11 show an erected collapsible boat hull 110. The hull hastwo bottom panels 112, 114 connected along their inside edges by acentral flexible hinge 116. Two side panels 118 a, 118 b are connectedto respective outside edges of the bottom panels by suitable hinges suchas chine hinges.

FIG. 10 shows a series of vertical cross sections across the beam of theboat hull 110 and demonstrates structure of the central hinge 116 atvarious locations along the length of the hull 110 when the panels 112,114 are in an erected configuration, forming a typical boat hullarrangement.

FIG. 10 shows central hinge structure at locations marked ‘A’, ‘B’ and‘C’ on FIGS. 9 and 11, corresponding to: a section adjacent an outer endof the bow; a section at the bow; and a section towards the stern of theboat hull 110 respectively.

The hinge 116 includes a flexible hinge line material 120, such as a webor sheet of or including a flexible yet resilient material e.g. a Kevlaror glass fibre material. The hinge 116 also includes a support materialextending along the hinge adjacent the hinge line. The flexible hingeline material 120 forms the hinge line 121 whilst the support material130 runs along the longitudinal extent of the hinge and closely adjacentthe hinge line 121. In a preferred embodiment, the support material 130is or includes a glass fibre material or polymeric material. In theembodiment shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, the flexible sheet or web isintegrated or embedded with the support material 130.

Sub-FIGS. 10A to 10C shows detail of the central (keel line) hinge whenthe collapsible boat is in an erected configuration and the supportmaterial 130 is therefore flexed.

Referring to sub-FIG. 10A, the support material when flexed (130 b)forms a generally flat formation at the end of the bow, spanning betweenthe pair of bottom panels 112, 114. In this configuration, the supportmaterial 130 is under traction. This is an area of the hinge 116 that isunder high tension stress relative to other areas of the hinge and so aflat configuration is ideal for structural purposes. Significantdeparture from the flat configuration at this region of the hinge 116could create a sharp fold line and potentially damage the web or sheetof the hinge line material 120.

It is therefore desirable for the support material 130 to form asubstantially flat configuration at any region of the hinge 116 wherethere is traction when the panels 112, 114 are in the erectedconfiguration. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, this willgenerally be adjacent beginning and end of curved portions of the boathull 110. Referring to sub-FIG. 10A, the position of support material130 in a substantially un-flexed position is depicted with dotted linesand referenced as 130 a.

Sub-FIG. 10B shows detail of the central hinge adjacent the bow area ofthe hull. The support material 130 b when flexed, as a result of thepanels 112, 114 being moved to the erected configuration, forms a ridge122 projecting away from an interior of the boat hull, That is, thehinge is generally ‘V’ shaped, providing an ideal shape to cut into anddeflect water before the boat commences planing, or to minimiseresistance to movement of the boat when the boat encounters waves. Theangle of the ‘V’ can vary along the length of the hull. The ‘V’ shape isformed by application of compression to the support material as thepanels 112, 114 are moved into the erected hull formation. The dottedlines in Sub-FIG. 10B represent the support material 130 a when in asubstantially un-flexed state.

At and towards the stern of the boat, as shown in Sub-FIG. 10C, thesupport material 130 forms a ridge 140 when flexed, projecting into theinterior of the boat hull i.e. the hinge is generally ‘W’ shaped incross section. This adds strength in relation to carrying weight in theboat and reduces stress and external (water side) exposure on theflexible hinge material compared with a flat hinge. Each of the bottompanels has bevelled edges and the flexible sheet or web material formsthe hinge line therebetween. The resultant external channel 46 formed bythe exterior ‘valley’ of the ridge along the portion of the keel hingetowards the stern helps stability of the boat at speed.

In each variation of geometry or configuration of the hinge 116 alongthe hull, the stress as applied to the flexible hinge line material 120when the panels 112, 114 are arranged in the erected configuration isadvantageously minimised.

Preferably the hinge 116 is bonded to the respective panels 112, 114.For example, by fibreglass bonding to composite panels. Alternatively,the support material 130 can support the flexible hinge material 120 andthe support material 30 is bonded to the panel(s), such as by a marinegrade adhesive.

It is desirable that the support material 130 is bonded to therespective panels 112, 114 such that it is arranged at an angle ofbetween 10° and 45° when the panels 112, 114 are in the collapsed orfolded configuration. This arrangement facilitates flexion along theline of the keel hinge whereby the angle of the support material 130relative to the panels 112, 114 flexes and adopts configurations asdescribed above as the panels 112, 114 are moved into the erectedconfiguration.

Whilst the hinge is flexible, it also has rigidity which assists increating a smooth transition between change of geometry of the hinge 116along the length of the hull. That is, there is a smooth transition fromthe W or inverted ‘V’ shape at the stern, to the ‘V’ shape at the bowand the substantially flat geometry towards the end of the bow.

The flexing of the hinge 116 as the panels 112, 114 are moved to theerected configuration therefore advantageously and usefully creates aconfiguration or geometry that contributes to the functionalconfiguration of the hull 110.

1. A collapsible boat hull including: a pair of bottom panels connectedby a first continuous hinge along an inner edge of each said bottompanel, the first continuous hinge being flexible facilitating the pairof bottom panels to be moved between a collapsed configuration and anerected configuration of the hull and wherein the first continuous hingefacilitates curving of at least a portion of the bottom panels when thebottom panels are in the erected configuration.
 2. A hull according toclaim 1, the first continuous hinge incorporated in a keel line hingearrangement at the bottom of the boat.
 3. A hull according to claim 1,including a second continuous hinge along a respective outer edge ofeach said bottom panel; and a pair of side panels, each said side panelconnected to an adjacent said bottom panel along a respective saidsecond continuous hinge, each said second continuous hinge beingflexible and facilitating curving of at least a portion of the sidepanels with the bottom panels when the hull is in the erectedconfiguration.
 4. A hull according to claim 3, the second continuoushinges forming respective chine hinges at the transition between theside panels and respective bottom panel(s).
 5. A hull according to claim3, the first and/or second continuous hinges having resilientflexibility along respective longitudinal and transverse planes thereof,thereby facilitating the bottom and side panels to be moved between afolded configuration and an erected configuration.
 6. A hull accordingto claim 1, the first or second continuous hinges or both first andsecond continuous hinges including a flexible sheet or web forming ahinge line between adjacent connected bottom panels or bottom and sidepanels.
 7. A hull according to claim 6, the sheet or web is or includesa polyester material or fabric, or a fibre matrix material such asKevlar or glass fibre or a flexible solid sheet or woven material.
 8. Ahull according to claim 1, the first and/or second continuous hingesincluding a support material extending along the respective hingeadjacent the hinge line.
 9. A hull according to claim 8, wherein thesupport material further extends over the hinge line externally and/orinternally with respect to the hull.
 10. A hull according to claim 8,the support material including or being a glass fibre or polymericmaterial.
 11. A hull according to claim 8, the support material forminga structural join between the flexible hinge material and the respectivesaid panel
 12. A hull according to claim 1, the first hinge between theadjacent bottom panels forming an internal ridge along the interior ofthe bottom of the hull when the boat hull is erected.
 13. A hullaccording to claim 1, the first and/or second hinges including one ormore strengtheners running along the respective hinge.
 14. A hullaccording to claim 13, wherein each hinge includes a said strengthenereither side of the respective hinge line.
 15. A hull according to claim13, the respective strengthener in the form of or including or hasapplied thereto at least one rib running along the respective continuoushinge.
 16. A hull according to claim 15, the at least one rib providedalong the hinge on the interior side of the hull, or along the hinge onthe exterior of the hull, or both on the interior and exterior of thehull.
 17. A hull according to claim 15, the at least one rib including arod or other elongate member.
 18. A hull according to claim 1, whereinthe or each said continuous hinge includes a sheet or web formed of asemi-rigid resilient or elastic material having capacity to flex alongthe length of the hull's keel.
 19. A hull according to claim 1, whereinthe first and/or second continuous hinge(s) includes a respectiveexternal ridge along a portion of the exterior of the bottom of the hullwhen the boat hull is erected.
 20. A hull according to claim 19 whereinthe or each continuous hinge includes the respective external ridgealong the portion of the exterior of the boat adjacent a bow of theboat.
 21. A hull according to claim 1, wherein the or each continuoushinge includes a substantially flat portion along a portion of theexterior of the bottom of the hull when the boat hull is erected.
 22. Ahull according to claim 21, wherein the or each continuous hingeprovides a substantially flat portion along a portion of the exterior ofthe bottom of the hull adjacent an end of the bow.
 23. A hull accordingto claim 1, wherein flexing of the or each continuous hinge as thebottom and side panels are moved to the erected configuration creates aconfiguration or geometry that contributes to functional configurationof the hull.
 24. A hull according to claim 1, wherein geometry orconfiguration of the or each continuous hinge minimises stress appliedto at least a portion of the continuous hinges when the bottom and sidepanels are in the erected configuration.
 25. A hull according to claim1, wherein at least one of the said panels of the hull includes or isformed of a honeycomb core of material coated or impregnated with apolymer.
 26. A hull according to claim 25, wherein the honeycomb core isa PVC or polypropylene material.
 27. A hull according to claim 25,wherein the polymer coating or impregnation material includes epoxy orpolyester.
 28. A hull according to claim 7, wherein the sheet or web isor includes a coating or impregnation of a flexible protective material.29. A flexible hinge for a collapsible boat hull having at least twopanels to be hinged by the flexible hinge for erecting and collapsingthe boat hull, the flexible hinge including a flexible material forminga hinge line along the flexible hinge, and support material either sideof the hinge line, the support material providing structural support.30. A flexible hinge according to claim 29, including flexibleprotective material extending over or through the flexible material ofthe hinge line.
 31. A flexible hinge according to claim 29, including atleast one strengthener orientated extending along a length of theflexible hinge.
 32. A flexible hinge according to claim 31, including atleast one said strengtheners positioned adjacent the hinge line.
 33. Aflexible hinge according to claim 29, including fibres integral to thehinge orientated in a direction along the hinge.